Index of US economic health shows small gain in August, signaling moderate growth

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2015 file photo, workers clean the facade around a window of the new Broad Museum in downtown Los Angeles. The Conference Board releases its index of leading indicators for August on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
(The Associated Press)

WASHINGTON – An index of future U.S. economic health edged up slightly in August after a flat reading in July. The outcome in both months signaled economic growth could be moderating.

The Conference Board says its index of leading indicators posted a 0.1 percent rise in August following no change in July and a 0.6 percent jump in June. The July reading had initially been reported as a decline of 0.2 percent.

Conference Board economists say the index is signaling that growth will be moderate through the rest of the year.